Part I: John 3:16 â€" God’s Love

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

From a read of the news recently, I am saddened by the disparagement of the Bible. “The Gospel of Judas�, a recently uncovered 1700 year old document which alleges Jesus told Judas to hand him over. “The Da Vinci Code�, which alleges Jesus survived the crucifixition, married Mary Magdalene, and had children. From within the church community, Pat Robertson brings discredit to the church when he calls for the assassination of Venezuela’s leader, states that God smote Sharon for conceding Israeli territory, and prays for the removal of Supreme Court Justices (with a life-term, that amounts to praying for their death). With friends like that, who needs enemies?

Christianity is unique in the world. It is not just another religious set of beliefs, and you can pick and choose which one suits you best. It makes very controversial claims, some seemingly at odds with one another. It makes some incredibly important claims. As Christians, I think it is very important to know what we believe in, and that we defend it persuasively and gracefully. I think a lot of essential truth can be gleaned from just this little verse. Unpacking this verse, word by word, tells a marvelous story. The story of God’s love.

1. For God

Why do we go to church? Why do we sing? Why do we give money? Why do we play nice together?

Some people think that by being a good person, by following a list of good deeds, we can earn God’s favor. Or 12 virgins. Or enlightenment. Or be reincarnated to the highest step on the great chain of being. And some think that when this is over, it's over.William Shatner says, I'm so not ready to die. It petrifies me. I go alone. I'm approaching the end of my life, and I'm trying to do better and better at whatever it is I'm doing.� How sad. And yet, at least he’s honest.

On the other hand, Christianity begins and ends with God. Religion is popularly defined as “man seeking after universal truth�, with men doing the actions, trying to please an implacable, arbitrary force. The Bible says that God acted first, while we were yet sinners, while we were still dead in our sins. Dead men tell no lies, or anything else for that matter. If there was going to be a rapprochement between us and God, it would have to be up to Him.

2. so loved

What is the first thing this verse tells us about God? His love. I do not think this is merely good PR, good advertising. When the gospel is presented, it leads with love. Not his coming judegement. Not his far-distant holiness. Not his mighty power. But His love. As we live, we live for One who lovingly cares for us and has a purpose for us. When we die, we don’t need to be afraid. We go to One who loves us.

Some have a different view. To those people with loudspeakers blasting passersby with screams of “you are going to hell�, you know, that is not how God expresses his message here. God leads with love. And I think that there is a truth in there for our attitudes towards others too.

3. the world

Oh boy. Here we go. This is one that the church has fought over, yelling out “heresy� on both sides of the fence. Who does God love? Maybe more knowledgeable scholars can have a go at me after the service. But here is my two cents worth. World means everyone. A little later in the verse it says “whoever�. That sounds pretty inclusive to me.

Let’s see. Does it say, God loves only the church? Um, don’t think so, mate. In the parable of the good Samaritan, did the Samaritan check to see the victims’ attitudes or credentials? Nope. Here was someone in need. Help was given. Paid for in advance. Regardless of who the victim was, or how he responded (the victim was comatose at the time).

Murderers. Pedophiles. Gay and Straight. Men. Women. Children. Iraquis. Even Americans. All are welcome at the foot of the cross.

What I don’t get is us.

Remember Montgomery, Alabama? That had segregated schools? Did you know that there was a (white) Baptist church there, that regularly commissioned missionaries to Africa? Oh yes, God loved Africans; oh yes, Jesus’ blood was good enough to cover their sins. But not good enough to change their skin color. And so the very blacks who became Christians would not have been welcome in 1950 Montgomery Baptist. Why is it that every so often, a new unforgiveable sin arises? Drinking alcohol (prohibition). Being black (1950s). Communists. Hippies. Druggies. Terrorists. There seems to be a modified list of people that Christians are allowed to hate.

How can this be? If God loves the world, then so should we. Hating people is not God’s command. Their sin, that is another story. But remember, sin is not our problem to deal with. That is God’s problem.

4. that

What is the effect of God’s love? Because the verse says, when God moves, it’s because of His love. God’s love is not limited to warm feelings or having positive regard. When God loves something, it means he does something.

Let’s change the wording.

For God is so holy that he gave…� No.
“For God is so just/powerful/…
Fill it in as you like, that is not why God moved.
God moved for love.

I would go so far as to say, whenever God has acted, or will act, it is for love. The creation of the universe. The creation of humans. The history of the world. Really? Yes, the story of God’s love, and how it was trampled and rejected far and wide. And the preservation of a thin small reed, a branch, in the middle of a forest fire.

5. he gave

He did not offer, for offers can be rescinded. It was not mandated. Here is the sacrifice, and you will receive it, because I am God and you are not? That is not it either. God respects our choices. Even ones in disrespect to him. He did not send it, like a letter. As a mechanical process. Like something not connected to him. Like a commander orders another into the heat of battle.

No. God gave it. A free gift? Not so free. How can you put a price on the life of your son? A gift that cost him everything.

What does God’s love look like? God loves through giving. He is the giver and sustainer of life. The very breath that Madeleine Murray O’Hare uses to curse God with comes from him. A band whose name I’ve forgotten, some years ago had a great title for a song: “Love is a verb.� God did not just have warm fuzzy feelings for the world. There was nothing fuzzy about it. It takes a remarkably clear sense of purpose and sacrifice to give what God gave.

You see, God had no expectation that we would receive his gift or not. In fact, many trash it. Kick it to the curb. Spit on it. Crucify it.

It is quite astonishing to see what kind of love the world shares with each other. Nowadays, it seems many get married for what they can get out of it. They have a groceries list of their own needs and requirements. And they protect what is theirs (ie prenuptial agreements). Give? Only when I get back. Compromise â€" ok. There’s a concept I can handle. Marriage is 50-50, right?

Hmmm, I think that is doomed for divorce. Or an empty marriage. When we give to our spouse, without any expectation in return, without strings attached, that is where the path to true love lies. And that is the example of love that we get from God. When he gave, he left his gift on the doorstep of our hearts.

Conclusion in Issue 22 on June 29th

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